Find Your State

Legal Help Desk

Stay Informed!

Sign up to receive email updates.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

ZIP Code

Our Sponsors

"Today Rhode Island joins the growing list of states where loving same-sex couples have the freedom to marry, giving all Rhode Island families an equal chance at their own happily-ever-after story, and lighting the way for the rest of us to follow."

April 24, 2013

Camilla Taylor

"Today Rhode Island joins the growing list of states where loving same-sex couples have the freedom to marry, giving all Rhode Island families an equal chance at their own happily-ever-after story, and lighting the way for the rest of us to follow."

(New York, April 24, 2013)— Today, the Rhode Island Senate voted to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage in Rhode Island. After the bill goes back to the House for reconciliation and Governor Lincoln Chafee, a vocal supporter of marriage equality, signs the bill, Rhode Island is set to join the growing list of jurisdictions in the United States, where same-sex couples have the freedom to marry.

Camilla Taylor, National Marriage Project Director at Lambda Legal, made the following statement:

"Today Rhode Island joins the growing list of states where loving same-sex couples have the freedom to marry, giving all Rhode Island families an equal chance at their own happily-ever-after story, and lighting the way for the rest of us to follow . Rhode Island will become the final state in New England to allow same-sex couples to marry, solidifying the region as a bastion of equality for same-sex couples and their families.

"Today, we celebrate with the thousands of Rhode Island same-sex couples and their children who will soon be able to have the full recognition and respect accorded to married families. We congratulate our colleagues at Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders and many other advocates who fought so hard for this victory.

"The path to equality in Rhode Island, as in other states across the country, has had twists and turns. It has been a long road. As we await decisions from the Supreme Court on the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and the California marriage ban termed Proposition 8, this victory in Rhode Island is a reminder of how far we've come. More Americans are extending equality to same-sex couples and their families and this victory makes clear that momentum for the freedom to marry is strengthening."